Following is posted on behalf of the conference organizers. Please direct any
enquiries to (jwasko /at/ uoregon.edu) and not to this e-mail.
What is Film? Change & Continuity in the 21st Century
Call for Papers
University of Oregon/Turnbull Center/Portland, Oregon/Nov. 6-7, 2009
What is film? What is the future of film? How are digital
technologies changing
the nature and production of film? What is the future of Hollywood?
How is the
Internet changing the film industry's models of production, distribution and
consumption?
Films are now produced using a wide range of digital technologies,
distributed
via the Internet, mobile devices, and miscellaneous videodisc
formats, and are
viewed at the convenience of consumers. Change is everywhere. But even
with these alterations to the nature of cinema, we still refer to "film."
Hollywood still distributes its products to motion picture theaters and
television outlets, and is still motivated primarily by profit. Some
things haven't
changed. Yet.
This conference will feature a unique coalescing of film
professionals, film and
media scholars and students, government and community officials, as well as
film fans. The event will feature keynote speakers, roundtables, paper
presentations, screenings, receptions and workshops, in an attempt to answer
questions about the changing nature of cinema.
Oregon and the city of Portland are no strangers to cinema with several
recent Hollywood productions being filmed in and around the city. Likewise,
burgeoning independent film and art scene sets it apart from its other U.S.
cities. The release of the 3-D stop-motion animation sensation Coraline
(produced by Laika Studios) has further bolstered Portland's place in
contemporary cinema.
Papers are welcome on the following topics (or other related ones):
What is film in a digital world?
How is the cinema defined today?
How is the changing nature of audiences and film consumers affecting the
industry?
What are the changing practices of the film and video businesses?
What is the state of competition among Hollywood, independents and other
studios?
How is globalization affecting the film and video business?
What are the prospects for Oregon's film/video industry?
How are digital technologies changing film production, distribution and
exhibition?
How can the Internet function as a film distribution outlet?
What new economic models are emerging for the film industry?
Can Hollywood continue to dominate in the U.S. and abroad?
Send a 250-word abstract by July 15, 2009, to:
Janet Wasko, School of Journalism and Communication
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97405, USA
(jwasko /at/ uoregon.edu)